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Buying a car is a big step and you have to be careful before you do so. It’s a big investment and you don’t want to end up with an automobile that seems like a good idea at first but ends up bleeding you dry from upkeep and repair costs. There are several things that you should be looking for before you make any decision. Here’s a list of some the questions you should be asking yourself so you don’t find yourself in a bad situation.
VIN Number Check:
The very first thing you should do, before you even discuss a contract with a car dealership is to check the car’s history. You can do this by writing down the VIN number and going online and looking it up. You can see the car’s entire history including details such as: previous accidents, involved in legal issues such as any Arizona DUI cases, rolled back odometer, failed emissions test, flooding, how many previous owners, and other facts. You can also see the car’s prior purchase price. All of this info will be a big help when deciding how much the car is actually worth. There’s a lot more to a car than what it says in the bluebook.
Check Exterior:
Beyond the VIN number, you’ll want to start by checking the vehicle’s exterior for any signs of damage or defect. Some common problems include:
- Look for runs along the entire framework.
- See if there are any mismatched panel colors along the framework.
- Check the trailer hinge to see if the car was used for towing.
- See if there are scrapes and dents.
- Check to see if the exterior panels are evenly spaced. This could be a potential sign of previous damage and/or repair.
Check Interior:
- This step is important but far too many people give far too much attention to this singular detail. Checking everything else on the car is just as important as looking at the interior. When doing so you’ll want to look for:
- Excessive ware on the steering wheel. (This could mean a lot if the seller says that it was “gently used.” They may be lying and the car has far more ware on it than is being advertised.
- Do all of the features, such as radio, CD player, power windows, air-conditioner, ect, work properly.
- Does the odometer show signs or any evidence of being tampered with?
- Are the seatbelts functional?
- Is any of the interior fabric or upholstery torn or worn heavily?
Test Drive:
This is usually the make or break moment for a car. It’s at this point where a car has, at least in some way, passed your personal inspection of its exterior and interior. From this point, when you take the car for a test drive, you should be very aware of how the car handles. More specifically, pay attention to the sounds the cars making. Does it sound labored? When you try to steer or turn the car, does it make a winding noise? Do the breaks squeal when you press down upon them? These are things you should be paying attention to during your test-drive.
This is just a basic overview of things you should be looking for. Ideally, if you know a professional mechanic, it would be a good idea to have them come along with you during the initial inspection since their advice would be far more educated than your own. Just don’t get caught unprepared when you’re shopping around next time. Looking at a car’s history and features will help ensure that you don’t end up with a decent car, not a lemon.
